Bandage

ABSTRACT

A bandage comprising a base substrate, a wound covering portion, a first side coupling member and a second side coupling member, and a first side and second side adhesive portion. The base substrate includes a central region, a first side region and a second side region, and comprises an elastic member. The wound covering portion is positioned over the central region. The first side coupling member extends over the first side region. The second side coupling member extending over the second region. The first side adhesive portion is positioned on the first side region. The second side adhesive portion positioned on the second side region. A method of use as well as a protective carrier are likewise disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/349,484 filed Nov. 11, 2016, entitled “Bandage”, which claimspriority from U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/253,898 filed Nov. 11, 2015,entitled “Bandage”, the entire specification of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to wound treatment devices, and moreparticularly, to a bandage which both provides a cover over a wound andalso aids in the closure of a wound.

2. Background Art

The use of bandages is well known in the art. Generally, bandagesinclude a covering material and a base substrate. The covering materialis coupled to the base substrate and the base substrate is adhered tothe skin of a user.

Often, a wound that is deep may require stitches or the like to providethe necessary closure. Problematically, a typical bandage while helpful,often does not provide any, or sufficient force on a wound to direct theopposing sides of the wound to meet or to otherwise foster closure.

It would be advantageous for a bandage that could provide covering for awound as well as forces to facilitate, foster and/or urge wound closure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure is directed to a bandagecomprising a base substrate, a wound covering portion, a first sidecoupling member and a second side coupling member, and a first side andsecond side adhesive portion. The base substrate comprises an elasticmember and includes a central region, a first side region and a secondside region. The wound covering portion is positioned over the centralregion. The first side coupling member extends over the first sideregion. The second side coupling member extending over the secondregion. The first side adhesive portion is positioned on the first sideregion. The second side adhesive portion positioned on the second sideregion.

It is contemplated that, in operation, the user would take the firstside region and couple the same on one side of wound. Then, the userwould stretch the material and couple the second side region on theother side of the wound. The wound may be pinched at the same time. Onceboth are coupled, the first and second side coupling members (microneedles) are directed into the skin of the user, and due toconfiguration, generally preclude inward movement of the base substraterelative to the skin toward the wound. The adhesive portions, maintainthe position of the bandage and foster the engagement and mechanicallocking of the coupling members and the skin on either side of thewound. The biasing force of the base substrate provides the necessaryclosure force to direct opposing sides of the wound toward each other toclose the wound.

In some configurations, the first side coupling member is positionedbetween the central region and the first side adhesive portion andwherein the second side coupling member is positioned between thecentral region and the second side adhesive portion.

In some configurations, the wound covering portion further includes agauze positioned thereon.

In some configurations, the base substrate is one of transparent andopaque.

In some configurations, at least one of the first side coupling memberand the second side coupling member further comprises a base and aplurality of gripping structures. The base has a lower surface and anupper surface, and defines an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter has aleading edge and a trailing edge. The plurality of gripping structuresextend outwardly from the base, and are spaced apart from each other.Each of the gripping structures is curved toward the leading edge.

In some configurations, the gripping structures each include a leadingsurface and a trailing surface, and opposing first side surface andsecond side surface, together defining a base perimeter at the base andan upper tip distally therefrom. The opposing first side surface andsecond side surface are inwardly angled to meet at the upper tip. Theleading surface and the trailing surfaces are curved toward the leadingedge. The upper tip lies outside of a footprint defined by the baseperimeter.

In some configurations, the base perimeter comprises a square.

In some configurations, the gripping structures are positioned in rowsbetween opposing side edges, with the gripping structures of adjacentrows being staggered.

In some configurations, the gripping structures are positioned in tworows wherein the gripping structures of a first row are staggeredrelative to the gripping structure of a second row.

In some configurations, the gripping structures are substantiallyidentical.

In some configurations, the first side coupling member comprises amonolithic formed acrylic polymer member.

In some configurations, the first side coupling member and the secondside coupling member are substantial mirror images of each other.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure is directed to amethod of treating a wound. The method comprises the steps of providinga bandage of claim 1 in an unstretched configuration; placing the firstside coupling member onto a first side of the wound; adhering the firstside adhesive portion to the first side of the wound; stretching thebase substrate of the bandage; placing the second side coupling memberone a second side of the wound, while maintaining the base substrate ofthe bandage stretched; adhering the second side adhesive portion to thesecond side of the wound; and releasing the base substrate so that thebandage returns toward the unstretched configuration, and in turn,closes the wound.

In some configurations, the method includes the step of adhering thesecond side adhesive portion to the second side of the wound iscompleted while maintaining the base substrate of the bandage stretched.

In some configurations, the base substrate comprises a transparentmaterial. The method further comprises the step of: monitoring the woundthrough the base substrate.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure is directed to acombination protective carrier and mechanical coupling system forutilization in association with manufacturing of a bandage. Theprotective carrier comprises a base with opposing first sidewall andsecond sidewall, cooperatively defining a channel. The protectivecarrier being elongated and structurally configured to be rolled ontoitself. The mechanical coupling system comprises a base having aplurality of gripping structures extending therefrom, wherein thegripping structures remain within the channel defined by the protectivecarrier. The mechanical coupling system is positioned within theprotective carrier, and rolled onto itself.

In some configurations, the gripping structures are curved toward afirst a side of the mechanical coupling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a schematic bottom plan view of the bandage ofthe present disclosure, showing, in particular, mechanical couplingsystem that is out of scale, but for pictorial clarity; and

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a schematic side elevational view of thebandage of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top plan view of the bandage placed over awound;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a bottom plan view of another configuration ofthe bandage of the present disclosure, showing, in particular, thedimensions of the configuration;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a partial side elevational view of the firstside coupling member, showing, in particular, the configuration of thegripping structure;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a partial back elevational view of the firstside coupling member, showing, in particular, the configuration of thegripping structure;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a photograph showing a perspective view of agripping structure of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a perspective view of the protective carrierwithin which a roll of the mechanical coupling system can be positionedfor assembly and manufacturing purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosureis to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to belimited to the embodiment illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 , the bandageof the present disclosure is shown generally at 10. The bandage includesbase substrate 12, wound covering portion 14, mechanical coupling system16 and adhesive coupling system 18. It is contemplated that the bandageof the present disclosure is well suited for wound closure andprotection. It will further be understood that the present disclosure isfurther well suited for other purposes, and the disclosure is notlimited to any particular use or application.

The base substrate 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as extending betweenfirst end 20 and second end 40 and spanning between first side edge 22and second side edge 42. The base substrate includes an outer surface 24which faces outwardly when applied to the skin of a user, and an innersurface 26 that abuttingly overlies the skin of the user. The basesubstrate 12 includes central region 44, with first side region 46extending from a first side of the central region and a second sideregion 48 extending from a second side of the central region oppositethe first side region 46.

It is contemplated that the base substrate is substantially uniform inthickness. In the configuration shown, the width is likewisesubstantially uniform, and the base substrate is substantiallysymmetrical about both an axis that bisects the base substrate along alongitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, as well assymmetrical about a transverse axis between the first side edge and thesecond side edge. It is contemplated that in other configurations, thebase substrate may or may not be symmetrical and may or may not beuniform. A number of different configurations are contemplated, and thedisclosure is not limited to any particular shape of the base substrate.

It is envisioned that the base substrate is elastic and may comprise awoven or non woven natural or synthetic material. Such a material,preferably has some level of elastic stretching at least in alongitudinal direction such that the first end and the second end can bepulled relative to each other to elastically elongate the bandage. Inother configurations, the substrate may be elastically deformable in anynumber of different directions. It is also contemplated thatnon-synthetic materials are contemplated for use, and that suchmaterials may be woven or non-woven. It is further contemplated thatwhile the material of the base substrate is shown to be uniform,variations are contemplated wherein the base substrate may comprise anumber of different materials that are coupled together to form the basesubstrate.

The wound covering portion 14 is shown as comprising some type of gauzematerial with an absorbent material positioned therein. The woundcovering portion typically comprises a material that is adhered to theinner surface 26 of the base substrate, and includes wound contactsurface 30. It is contemplated that the wound covering portion 14 mayinclude absorbent material, medicament, among other features. That is,such features are known to those of ordinary skill in the bandage arts.

The mechanical coupling system 16 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ascomprising first side coupling member 32 and second side coupling member34. The first and second side coupling members are contemplated to besubstantially identical (although property, size, quantity and the likemay be varied, the generally have the same operational characteristics).It will be understood that they may be different, while still having thesame functionality. As such, the first side coupling member 32 will bedescribed with the understanding that the second side coupling member 34may be selected from the same materials and configurations.

The first side coupling member 32 comprises an array of 700 micron microneedles that can be bloodlessly and painlessly be directed into thedermis of the user. The micro needles extend from a substantially planarbase surface, and may be formed from a starting material that issubstantially planar. The base surface is adhered to the inner surface26 of the base substrate. In other configurations it is contemplatedthat the base surface of the micro needles may form a portion of thebase substrate. In other configurations, the micro needles may comprisestructures shown in PCT Published Application entitled“Microstructure-Based Wound Closure Devices”, Publication No. WO2013/188884A1, by Applicant University of Washington Through Its Centerfor Commercialization, the entire specification of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Certain other configurationsare likewise contemplated for use. It will further be understood thatthe micro needle may be straight, slanted or hooked, among otherconfigurations. In the configuration shown, the micro needles areslanted inwardly toward the central region, while other configurationsare contemplated.

It is contemplated that the first side coupling member span across theentirety of the base substrate from first side edge to second side edge.In the configuration shown, the first side coupling member is positionedso as to be spaced apart from both the wound covering portion and therespective end of the base substrate. In other configurations, the firstside coupling member and the second side coupling member may comprisediscrete regions rather than a substantially continuous member as isshown in the configuration.

More particularly, the first side and second side coupling members maybe mirror images of each other, and may comprise the structure shown inFIGS. 4 through 6 , collectively. In particular, the coupling membersmay each comprise a base 60 and a plurality of spaced apart grippingstructures 70. The base generally comprises a substantially planarmember defining a lower surface 62, an upper surface 64 and outerperimeter 66. In the configuration shown, the base has a thickness of0.25 millimeters. When mounted in the operable configuration, the outerperimeter 66 defines a leading edge 67 and a trailing edge 68. In theconfiguration shown, the base comprises a substantially uniformrectangular member with the longer sides thereof being the leading andtrailing edges, which are parallel to each other. Of course, otherconfigurations are contemplated, including structures that haveadditional topographies.

The gripping structures 70 are spaced about the base 60 and extend fromthe upper surface 64 thereof. It will be understood that such structuresare monolithic and conformed along with the base to form a singlesubstantially uniform configuration. The gripping structures aregenerally (although not required to be) substantially identical inconfiguration. As such, a single gripping structure is shown with theunderstanding that the remaining gripping structures are substantiallyidentical.

The gripping structure 70 includes leading surface 72, trailing surface74, first side surface 76 and second side surface 78. The grippingstructure at the base defines a base perimeter 80, which issubstantially square. The four surfaces 72, 74, 76 and 78 cooperativelytaper to an upper tip 81. The outer surfaces are angled inwardly atangle 83 which, in the configuration shown is 12.02° with the includedangle 82 of 24.04°. In the configuration shown, the height of thegripping structures is 0.700 mm. with a base that is 0.426 mm square.The leading and trailing surfaces are each curved so that the tip liesoutside of the footprint defined by the base perimeter, with the firstand second side surfaces being inclined at the angles identified above.Of course, variations are contemplated. It has been found that thecurved surfaces of the leading and trailing surfaces greatly aids in theretention strength of the gripping structures as compared to straight orangled gripping structures. A magnification photograph of a grippingstructure is shown in FIG. 7 .

In the configuration shown, the gripping structures are positioned inuniform rows an columns, which are offset relative to each other. Insuch a configuration, a total of 15 gripping structures may bepositioned in each of two rows, with the rows being staggered so thatthe gripping structures of one row fall between adjacent grippingstructures of the second row. Of course, variations are contemplated,for example, a configuration wherein the structures are in uniform rowsand columns forming a grid-like structure with uniform separation ineither direction. In the configuration shown, the material from whichthe first and second side coupling members are formed comprise anacrylic polymer material formed from an acrylic polymer resin. Theformation is not limited to use in association with the disclosedpolymer constructions, and other polymer constructions are contemplatedfor use.

The adhesive coupling system 18 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising firstside adhesive portion 36 and second side adhesive portion 38. It will beunderstood that the first and second side adhesive portions maygenerally be similar in construction. Thus, while they may be placed inidentical locations or in different locations, these general adhesiveconstruction is similar. As such, first side adhesive portion 36 will bediscussed with the understanding that the same principles andconstructions may be applied to second side adhesive portion 38.

The first side adhesive portion 36 may comprise a plurality of regions,or a single region of adhesive that can be releasably stuck to the skinof the patient with proper adhesion to facilitate retention thereof.Most preferably, the first side adhesive portion 36 includes one or moreregions, all of which regions are positioned between the first sidecoupling member 32 and the first end 20 of the base substrate. It iscontemplated that the same construction is utilized on the second sideadhesive portion 38 such that it is between the second side couplingmember 34 and the second end 40 of the base substrate 12. The adhesiveis of the type know to those of skill in the bandage art. That is, suchadhesive is configured to adhere to the skin of the user with sufficientforce. It is contemplated, in other configurations, that multipleregions of adhesive be utilized for both the first side adhesive portionand the second side adhesive portion, and that such regions may bepositioned over the mechanical coupling system, between the mechanicalcoupling system and the respective ends, or between the mechanicalcoupling system and the wound covering system, or in all threelocations. It has been found that most preferably, the region of choiceis between the mechanical coupling system and the respective end of thebase substrate. It is contemplated that the adhesive may extend over theentirety of the inner surface 26 of the base substrate so that the woundcovering portion and the mechanical coupling system is coupled to thebase substrate with the same adhesive which forms the first and secondside adhesive portions.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4 through 6 , the dimensions of asample bandage formed by the present disclosure is shown. The dimensionsare exemplary, and not to be deemed limiting. The length of the bandage(A) is 63.50 mm. The width of the bandage (B) is 50.80 mm. The length ofeach of the first and second side adhesive portions (C) is 12.70 mm. Thelength of each of the first and second side coupling members (D) is12.70 mm. The length of the space between the first and second sidecoupling members, i.e., the wound contact surfaced (E) is 12.70 mm.Again, these are merely exemplary. It is contemplated that some of thebandages may have half of the width.

In operation, the bandage is first provided. In the preferredconfiguration, the base substrate 12 includes a wound covering portion14 generally centrally located, with a first side coupling member on thefirst side region and a second side coupling member flanking on thesecond side region. A first side adhesive portion extends between thefirst side coupling member and the first end with a second side adhesiveportion extending between the second side coupling member and the secondend. Of course, other configurations are likewise contemplated, and aredescribed above.

To apply the bandage, generally, and conceptually, with reference toFIG. 3 , the bandage is stretched so as to provide an inward biasingforce, with the adhesive providing the additional mechanical retentionon either side of the wound 100.

In more detail, with a typical wound of the type contemplated to betreated by the present bandage, which is a wound that is a cut throughlayers of the skin along an elongated path, with the path having a firstend and a second end, and skin on either side thereof. With such awound, or other similar wounds, the user (or the medical professional)would first adhere the first side adhesive portion and the first sidecoupling member to the skin on a first side of the wound. That is, thecoupling would be to skin on the first side of the wound. It will beunderstood that the first side coupling member, and the micro needlesextend into the upper layers of the skin, preferably without pain andwithout severing any capillaries to cause visible blood flow. As thehooks are configured to extend toward the wound, the hooks serve toprevent further movement of the entire substrate toward the wound.Additionally, the adhesive is applied to the skin so as to furtherfacilitate the direction of the micro needles into the skin and topreclude skipping or movement along the skin. That is, the adhesiveinsures that the micro needles will operatively extend into the skin andremain in the proper orientation. Generally, this occurs in theunstretched configuration.

Next, the user (or medical professional) stretches the base substrate soas to extend on the other side of the wound. The second side region isthen directed into the skin. In turn, the second side coupling member isdirected into the skin forcing the micro needles into the skin. As thesemicro needles are likewise angled toward the wound, further movement ofthe substrate toward the wound is limited and precluded. The second sideadhesive portion is then pressed onto the skin to secure the second sideregion to the skin, and to maintain the micro needles in the properorientation.

In such a configuration, the wound covering portion 14 extends over thewound, and, preferably, the wound contact surface 30 contacts thesurface of the wound. The wound contact surface may provide for pressureon the wound to facilitate clotting, or may provide medicament which mayotherwise be beneficial.

Due to the elasticity of the base substrate and to the elasticstretching of the base substrate over the wound prior to the attachmentof the second side region to the skin, when coupled the base substratewill exert a biasing force to return to its original configuration. Asthe base substrate attempts to return to its original unstretchedconfiguration, the micro needles resist such movement with the adhesiveboth precluding such movement and also precluding the retraction of themicro needles from the skin. As such, the micro needles that extend intothe skin on either side of the wound force the skin toward the wound sothat the biasing force exerted by the base substrate forces the woundclosed, and a general pinching of the skin. Such an operation fosterswound closure, blood clotting, and minimization of scarring. Further,the same is achieved without increasing the pain or without causingfurther damage to the skin around the wound.

To manufacture a bandage of the present configuration, it iscontemplated that the base substrate, the wound covering portion and themechanical coupling systems may be provided on rolls with the componentsbeing joined together. Problematically, it may be difficult to provide aroll of the mechanical coupling system without damaging the grippingstructures. In such configurations, the mechanical coupling system isprovided on a roll encased, at least partially by a protectiveencasement. For example, a roll of what would become the mechanicalcoupling system is provided, wherein one side forms the leading edge ofthe coupling member, and the other side forms the trailing edge of thecoupling member, can be placed within a channel 201 of a protectivecarrier 200, shown in FIG. 8 . The protective carrier channel 201 isdefined by a base 205, first sidewall 207 and second sidewall 209. Theprotective carrier 200 has a length that is commensurate with the lengthof the roll of the mechanical coupling system material. The roll of themechanical coupling system is placed within the channel, with thegripping structures facing in an upward direction. It will be understoodthat the height of the first and second sidewalls 207, 209 is such thatthe gripping structures are maintained within the channel 201 definedthereby. During manufacturing, the mechanical coupling system materialcan be removed from within the channel 201 at the time of applicationthereof onto the base substrate, and the adhesive positioned thereon. Inthe configuration shown, two side by side rolls of mechanical couplingsystem material housed within respective protective carriers can beutilized and can be coupled together to form a cartridge, for example,wherein mechanical coupling system material can be removed from each tosubstantially simultaneously form the first side coupling member and thesecond side coupling member. It is contemplated that the roll may berolled upon itself, and that the roll may comprise between 5 and 100feet of mechanical coupling system that can be utilized to form thebandage.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bandage comprising: a base substrate having a central region, a first side region and a second side region, at least the central region comprising an elastic material; a first side coupling member that is rigid and integrally molded, the first side coupling member attached to the first side region of the base substrate and a second side coupling member that is rigid and integrally molded, the second side coupling member attached to the second side region of the base substrate, each of the first side coupling member and the second side coupling member including: a base having a lower surface and an upper surface, and defining a outer perimeter having a leading edge, with the lower surface attached to the respective one of the first side region of the base and the second side region of the base; and a plurality of gripping structures integrally molded with extending outwardly from the base, and spaced apart from each other, each of the gripping structures being curved toward the leading edge, wherein the gripping structures each include a leading surface and a trailing surface, and opposing first side surface and second side surface, together defining a base perimeter at the base and an upper tip distally therefrom, with the leading surface being substantially parallel to the leading edge of the base, the opposing first side surface and second side surface inwardly angled to meet at the upper tip, with the leading surface and the trailing surfaces being curved toward the leading edge each at a different radius of curvature, wherein the upper tip lies outside of a footprint defined by the base perimeter.
 2. The bandage of claim 1 wherein the plurality of gripping structures of each of the first side coupling member and the second side coupling member are arranged in a plurality of rows, with the rows being substantially parallel with the leading edge.
 3. The bandage of claim 2 wherein the gripping structures of each of the first side coupling member and the second side coupling member are staggered relative to an adjacent row.
 4. The bandage of claim 1 further comprising a first side adhesive portion positioned on the first side region of the base substrate and a second side adhesive portion positioned on the second side region of the base substrate.
 5. The bandage of claim 4 wherein the first side coupling member is positioned between the central region and the first side adhesive portion, and wherein the second side coupling member is positioned between the central region and the second side adhesive portion.
 6. The bandage of claim 1 further comprising a wound covering portion positioned over the central region.
 7. The bandage of claim 6 wherein the wound covering portion comprises gauze.
 8. The bandage of claim 1 wherein the first side coupling member and the second side coupling member are mirror images of each other.
 9. The bandage of claim 1 wherein the entirety of the base substrate comprises an elastic material. 